Parents appeal decision on multi-denominational Gaelscoil in Drumcondra – Reilly
Dublin City Councillor Noeleen Reilly has said the Minister
for Education must support a multi-denominational Gaelscoil in Drumcondra.
Speaking from Drumcondra today, she said:
“The department of Education recently rejected an
application for a primary Gaelscoil in Drumcondra which is being appealed by
Parents.
“The department says they support diversity in education yet there is no multi
denominational Gaelscoil north of the Liffey.
“Parents who have not baptised their children who want them educated in our
native language are being left with no options by the Minister.
“Parents have been campaigning for this school for a number
of years and gathered 733 names. Yet they were not successful because Educate Together
was awarded the patronage based on higher numbers. And this happened, despite
733 being the highest number that An Foras Patrúnachta,the patron body for new
gaelscoileanna, ever had registering their interest.
“I fully support the need for an Educate Together school in Drumcondra, what is
clear is that there is a need for both. Educate together have already
said that they won’t be able to cater for demand.
“It would appear the decision making process is pitting minority language schools against English speaking schools and that is not acceptable.
“I am asking the Minister for Education to look on this appeal favourably while also looking at a demand for school places in the area.”